Renger van der Zande Joins Tower Motorsports for Full-Time IMSA LMP2 Campaign

Tower Motorsports is gearing up for a fiercely competitive season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship's Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) category by announcing a powerful driver lineup for its #8 ORECA LMP2 07. The team is determined to contend for the championship crown with its reinforced roster.

Tower Motorsports Fortifies LMP2 Roster for Championship Bid

In a significant announcement for the upcoming IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, Tower Motorsports has confirmed a formidable driver lineup for its #8 ORECA LMP2 07, signaling a strong intent to challenge for the championship in the highly competitive Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class. The team's cornerstone, John Farano, will be partnered full-time by the experienced Dutch racer Renger van der Zande. Complementing this duo for the demanding IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races will be the promising rookie Griffin Peebles, with the seasoned Tristan Vautier joining as the fourth driver for the prestigious season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Rick Capone, the Team Manager for Tower Motorsports, expressed his enthusiasm for the new assembly of talent, stating, "Our driver lineup for next season is truly exciting. With John Farano, Griffin Peebles, Renger van der Zande, and Tristan Vautier, we have achieved a fantastic blend of raw talent and invaluable experience. Our existing team at Tower Motorsports is already exceptionally strong, and I firmly believe these additions are the crucial missing pieces that will enable us to vigorously compete for victories."

Canadian driver Farano is embarking on his seventh consecutive full-time campaign, with the imminent Rolex 24 marking his 50th career start. His impressive record includes five victories and the 2022 LMP2 class title, showcasing his consistent performance and winning capability. His partnership with van der Zande, a 2016 Prototype Challenge (PC) champion and one of the paddock's most distinguished veterans, creates a potent combination. Van der Zande brings a wealth of experience, boasting 133 WeatherTech Championship starts, 23 wins, and five pole positions, maintaining an remarkable streak of at least one victory every season since the championship's modern era commenced in 2014. This move represents a new chapter for van der Zande, who transitions to a full-time LMP2 role after a decade in IMSA's premier prototype divisions, having driven for esteemed organizations such as Spirit of Daytona Racing, Wayne Taylor Racing, Chip Ganassi-run Cadillac Racing, and Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian.

Adding a youthful surge to the endurance squad is Australian teenager Peebles, who enters IMSA following a stellar performance in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), where he secured the LMP2 championship with a competing team and earned both the ELMS Top Performer and Golden Wingfoot accolades. Meanwhile, Vautier's profound familiarity with the series, stemming from extensive participation across various IMSA categories including LMP2 and Grand Touring Prototype (GTP), further strengthens the team's endurance prospects.

This solidified driver pairing offers enhanced stability for Tower Motorsports, especially after Farano's car featured a rotating cast of co-drivers, notably Vautier and Sebastian Alvarez, during the 2026 season. That season saw the team achieve a third-place podium finish at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, with Farano securing sixth in the overall standings. The synergy between van der Zande and Farano has already been established through their previous collaborations in IMSA LMP2 events at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2024 and 2025, as well as under the DKR Engineering banner at the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Tower Motorsports, renowned for its impressive three consecutive Motul Petit Le Mans victories between 2020 and 2022, is eager to break its current winless streak, which dates back to the 2023 Twelve Hours of Sebring, where Farano, Scott McLaughlin, and Kyffin Simpson famously triumphed atop the LMP2 podium. With this new, robust lineup, the team is poised to reclaim its winning form and make a significant impact in the upcoming season.